| Thu 8:30 AM |
Registration and Breakfast
Ogelthorp Foyer
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| Thu 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Growth, but at What Cost? Building Infrastructure While Preserving Quality of Life
Ogelthorp Ballroom
Communities across the country are experiencing unprecedented growth, from major manufacturing investments and new employers, to population increases and expanding development. While growth creates new economic opportunities, it can also place significant demands on infrastructure, housing, transportation, public services, and overall quality of life.
How can communities prepare for and manage this growth while ensuring residents benefit from the opportunities it creates? With major investments like the Hyundai Metaplant reshaping Savannah Growth, and the continued growth of the Port of Savannah reshaping the region, hear from leaders across Georgia as they discuss how communities are navigating both the opportunities and challenges of economic growth..
This conversation will explore how communities are investing in the infrastructure needed to support thriving communities while preserving quality of life for residents. Panelists will explore how major investments in manufacturing and port infrastructure are shaping regional growth. They’ll also discuss strategies communities can use to plan for infrastructure needs, manage development pressures, and ensure growth translates into lasting benefits for residents.
Moderator(s)
- Kimberly Carter, Deputy Commissioner for Community Development and Finance, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Speaker(s)
- Lee Beckman, General Manager of Community and Government Affairs, Georgia Ports Authority
- Ronald Feldner, P.E., Chief of Water Resources, Savannah Water Resources
- Benjy Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Development Authority of Bulloch County
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Breakout Sessions
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| Thu 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM |
Enhancing Affordability through Creative Housing Financing
Communities across the country are grappling with issues of affordability as the cost of essential services - housing, healthcare, childcare, groceries, and energy - has outpaced wage growth. Join us to discuss how the affordability crisis is impacting communities throughout the U.S. and how economic development organizations are using unique financial products to meet this challenge. Practitioners will discuss how TIFs and other tools can be leveraged to support housing affordability in Texas, NYC, and other communities. Practitioners from NYC and Philadelphia will share how their organizations have enhanced affordability in the healthcare, childcare, food supply, and energy industries through innovative financing and services.
Moderator(s)
- Jennifer Crowther, Senior Vice President, Capitalization & Impact, PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)
Speaker(s)
- Steve Boice, Manager, Business Finance, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
- Brinda Ganguly, Executive Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
- Sue Hounsel, Senior Manager, City of Dallas
- Emily Metzler, Managing Director, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
Innovative Funds in the Capital Stack
Complex projects rarely fail because of a lack of capital. They fail because capital isn't structured to work together. This session explores how CDFIs, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations are creating and deploying innovative funds to fill financing gaps, absorb risk, and unlock investment.
Using real-world examples, participants will examine how specialized funds, credit enhancements, and catalytic capital can be layered with traditional financing to execute challenging projects. The discussion will also address the legal and structuring considerations that determine whether a capital stack is merely assembled, or truly designed for success.
Moderator(s)
- Wisty Pender, State Director, BERO, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Speaker(s)
Coming Soon
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Keynote Presentation and Lunch
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| Thu 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
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Breakout Sessions
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| Thu 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM |
Caren S. Franzini Fellowship Capstone: Development Tacklebox - Small Projects, Big Impact
How can small-scale developers better access development finance tools to support equitable, community-driven economic development more broadly? Join this live session to examine the key barriers and opportunities for small developers and leave with ways to support small-scale development in your community.
This session highlights the 2026 Franzini Fellows Capstone Project, which examines how development finance can better support small developers and projects under $10 million. Through emerging research, case studies, and practitioner insights, attendees will explore the barriers these developers face, identify strategies to expand access to capital and technical assistance, and learn how development finance tools can strengthen local economies while advancing equitable, community-driven development in both rural and urban communities.
Moderator(s)
- Ruth Fussell, Vice President, Business Development Officer, Computershare Trust Company
Speaker(s)
- Aubrey Flanagan, Senior Advisor, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Synthia Isah, Development Manager, Port KC
- Jill Kohles, Senior Vice President - Lending, Great Falls Development Authority
- Madelyn Rawl, Assistant Vice President, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
- Angelique Serrano, Loan Analyst, Small Business Assistance Corporation
Success with RLFs: Loans Are the Tip of the Iceberg
Generate the greatest possible impact from the loans you make by treating them as just the tip of the iceberg. Assemble your team and gather your partners to projects that lead to impactful loans then continue the teamwork post loan closing to generate greater impact.
Many practitioners work in markets where deal flow is slower than we would like. Create your own pipeline of deals that have high mission impact by integrating your lending with business development, advising, training, and competitive improvements. Downtown revitalization, brownfields redevelopment, target industries, housing, entrepreneurship and more. Come share ideas, learn from colleagues and get inspired!
Speaker(s)
- Brett Doney, President & Chief Executive Officer, Great Falls Development Authority
The Dos and Don'ts of Bond Post-Issuance Compliance
Bond issuance may mark the end of the initial financing, but it begins years of continuing responsibilities. A district’s long-term success depends on sustained attention to continuing disclosure, arbitrage compliance, ongoing administration, and other recurring obligations. This session will present the dos and don’ts drawn from real-world bond financings, highlighting common mistakes, emerging compliance risks, and post-issuance best practices. Attendees will gain practical insights into managing stakeholder expectations, avoiding costly missteps, and maintaining compliance long after bonds are issued. Whether new to bond finance or a seasoned issuer, attendees will leave with actionable lessons for achieving successful and sustainable financings.
Speaker(s)
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| Thu 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
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Breakout Sessions
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| Thu 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
Financing the Utility Backbone for Data Centers
The rapid expansion of the data center sector is driving extraordinary demand for capital-intensive utility infrastructure, including electric service, water supply, wastewater capacity, and fiber connectivity. This advanced workshop examines the development finance structures used to fund and deliver these backbone systems, with particular emphasis on the practical deployment of public and private capital.
Panelists will explore the development finance tools used to support large-scale data center infrastructure, including public-private partnerships, municipal bonds, utility cost-sharing arrangements, special districts, and private infrastructure investment. The discussion will examine the practical challenges of coordinating public and private capital, with a focus on asset ownership, repayment sources, credit support, regulatory considerations, public-purpose requirements, and risk allocation among utilities, local governments, and private developers. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the legal, financial, and governance considerations that shape these transactions and the key questions to address when selecting a financing structure.
Moderator(s)
Speaker(s)
Layering Opportunity Zone Financing: Strategies for Maximizing Impact and Investment
Layering Opportunity Zone financing with other development finance tools strengthens capital stacks and unlocks more investable, impactful projects. This session will explore strategies to leverage complementary tools such as tax credits, public-private partnerships, infrastructure financing, federal grants, tax increment financing, and emerging place-based initiatives such as Maritime Prosperity Zones. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how these tools work together, key considerations when structuring capital stacks, and strategies for aligning multiple financing sources.
Speaker(s)
Coming Soon
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| Thu 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Drinks with Toby and Adam
Ogelthorp Ballroom
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| Thu 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
President's Club Dinner (Private Event)
Green Meldrim House
The President's Club Dinner is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering recognizing President's Club members and distinguished guests for an evening of networking, conversation, and appreciation.
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